Palomar College vs California State University-San Marcos: which has better ROI?
California State University-San Marcos has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,916 in 2.8 years versus not at all at Palomar College, on median earnings of $62,908 vs $42,300 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Palomar College | California State University-San Marcos |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,763 | $10,229 |
| Total net cost | $23,052 | $40,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,300 | $62,908 |
| Median debt | — | $17,350 |
| Payback | — | 2.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$144,252 | $250,044 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Palomar College or California State University-San Marcos?
Palomar College, at $5,763 a year after aid versus $10,229 — a gap of $4,466 a year, or $17,864 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Palomar College or California State University-San Marcos graduates earn more?
California State University-San Marcos graduates report a median $62,908 ten years after entry, $20,608 more than the $42,300 at Palomar College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at California State University-San Marcos, against 38% at Palomar College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.